Hinckley is gearing up for elite cycle race

Olympic gold medallist Dani King on a visit to Richmond Primary School

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Excitement is mounting as the UK’s first ever international elite standard cycle road race for women hits Hinckley and Bosworth.

With just seven days to go preparations for the big event are stepping up a gear. Thursday May 8 will see top female riders including British Olympic heroines set off from Hinckley on stage two of the five stage competition.

Olympic gold medallists Dani King and Laura Trott are in the line-up along with silver medallist Lizzie Armitstead, young Leicestershire favourite, Lucy Garner and current team pursuit world champion Katie Archibald.

Lucy and Katie will make up part of the Great Britain Cycling Team, along with Emily Kay, Amy Hill, Ciara Home and Hayley Jones.

Lucy said she was looking to getting to grips with the specialist sections through her home county, adding: “I can’t wait to race in the UK particularly around roads so close to my home. The route looks like it could suit me and it would be great to win a stage on home ground.

“I’m looking forward to wearing the Great Britain colours in front of a home crowd too - I think that will feel pretty special.”

Gathering at the Market Place at 11am the riders will set off proper at around 11.15am on Thursday from Leicester Road, taking the A47 route towards Blaby, Narborough and Broughton Astley.

The 73.7 mile stage ends in Bedford with riders expected to cross the finish line anytime from 2pm.

Before the race spectators will have the chance to see the riders and take in the numerous stalls and promotions in the town centre highlighting cycling and local sport.

Leicestershire County Council are taking the lead on activity and Councillor Peter Osborne, Cabinet member for transport said: “While this will be a fantastic opportunity to get a glimpse of the world’s top female cyclists we hope it will also inspire others to get on their bikes.

“As an added incentive people have the chance to win exclusive Women’s Tour prizes if they log their own cycling progress on either the LeicesterShire Sustainable Travel Challenge app or website.”

By logging cycle journeys of 12 miles you will be entered into a prize draw for a Wiggle Honda jersey signed by London 2012 Olympic gold medallist Dani King.

With six miles the prize draw involves one of two training tops, for four miles it’s one of four Chain Reaction cycling goodie bags, for two miles it is one of 100 autographed postcards signed by Dani King and for women only who log any distance there is a chance to win a place in the elite group due to lead the competitors off on May 8.

The race will pass through Leicestershire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex during the five stages, with highlights on ITV4 at 9pm each evening.

Teams confirmed as entering are Astana Bepink Women’s Team from Italy, Boels Dolmans Cycling Team from the Netherlands, Estado de Mexico Faren from Mexico, Great Britain, Hitec Products from Norway, Lointek from Spain, Lotto Belisol Ladies from Belgium, Matrix Fitness – Vulpine from Great Britain, the Netherlands, Optum P/B Kelly Benefit Strategies from the USA, Orica – AIS from Australia, Rabo Liv Women’s Cycling Team from the Netherlands, Specialized – Lululemon from the USA, Switzerland, UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team from the USA and Wiggle Honda from Great Britain.

Wiggle Honda will be the most recognisable of the teams, featuring as it does Olympic gold medallists Dani King, Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell.

The race will begin in Oundle in Northamptonshire and finish in Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. Stage two kicks off in Hinckley and ends in Bedford on Thursday May 8.

To find out more visit www.womenstour.co.uk or go to Facebook at www.facebook.com/thewomenstour